Trying to calm the waters

Mayor names LST mediation board

Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel has appointed a three-member commission to mediate the dispute between the USS LST Ship Memorial board and the ship's volunteers.

"I'm concerned enough about this ongoing dispute that I think it warrants the city taking some action," Weinzapfel said Wednesday at a news conference.

City Councilman H. Dan Adams, local attorney George Rehnquist and Marilee Fowler, executive director of the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau, were named to the commission. Rehnquist will serve as chairman. He also is chairman of the local LST committee.

Adams said the commission will meet with both sides in the dispute within the next two weeks.

"With my family's experience of three generations of serving in the Navy, and my own experience of being on an aircraft carrier for a year in the U.S. Navy, I know well the importance of a chain of command," Adams said. "However, the volunteers are no longer serving under the code of military justice. So I suggest that we find a third way."

Some LST volunteers walked out in late January to protest Capt. Bob Jornlin's treatment. The dispute gathered steam Feb. 12 when the LST board, of which Jornlin is a member, voted to fire LST Director Ron Crane.

Jornlin and Crane had clashed, according to both men.

"This is an ongoing dispute that, in my mind and I think in the minds of a lot of Evansville's residents and concerned citizens, is something that could potentially threaten the viability of the LST as an ongoing tourist attraction," Weinzapfel said. "I think it goes without saying that the LST has been an important tourist attraction for our community, both from an economic development standpoint and a cultural aspect."

Weinzapfel said he had hoped the LST board and volunteers would "have a meeting of the minds" and reach a resolution.

"Obviously, several weeks have elapsed, and that has not occurred," he said. "Without taking any position or making a judgment call on the respective arguments made by both sides, I feel it's important for the city to step up and play a role."

Weinzapfel said he is not sure the commission will be able to settle the dispute, but it's worth trying.

Finding a simple solution may be difficult, Rehnquist said.

"But we're asking both sides to furnish us with background and information and suggestions that they might have," he said.

Asked about the main issue between the LST board and volunteers, Rehnquist said, "I think I'd rather not get into that at this point. I'd rather have them kind of focus and frame those issues for us, so we don't presuppose we have an idea of what those issues are right now."

Rehnquist said there are several major events planned this year at the LST 325. The 34th Military Vehicle Preservation Association International Convention is scheduled from Aug. 5-9, which also is LST Week. Several military reunions also have been planned throughout the year.